WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL

[gatonina]

ARRIVAL

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PASSENGERS: 41 You know how the story goes by now. One minute you’re somewhere familiar, and the next you’re suddenly somewhere else. Unlike previous times before, the source of your rude awakening isn’t a mystery. A harsh jostle causes your body to lunge forward as a tire jumps over a pot hole in the road. Try as you might, it’s hard to ignore the steady thrumming of an engine and the gentle sway beneath you. The faint scent of gasoline seems to waft from the outside, but as you look around you’ll notice that the windows are locked, tinted, and impossible to see through. Likewise, the door ahead of you appears to be locked as well. Perhaps the scent is your imagination…? Regardless, though the lighting is a tad dim, it becomes apparent that you’re inside a large bus dotted with the occasional seat and amid a jumble of other bodies. The people you were last with may be among your fellow passengers. Perhaps they are not. But worry not; there’s plenty of time to look around and get to know one another on this long, strange trip. It may even be wise to examine the staircase at the other end of the bus. Who knows what awaits you on the other floors? Ah, but before you move too far it may be best to assess the situation. On the bright side, any injuries you incurred have been healed! Isn't it nice to have your limbs in place again? Miracles happen. But...what happened to your clothes? You’re fairly certain you weren't wearing this t-shirt before...and what's with the denim shorts? Maybe you were fortunate enough to get the knee-length version, but for those of you waking up in bootyshorts...well, we're sure you look great! And what better way to tie the whole look together than white socks and tan sandals? At least you'll be comfortable for the ride. Lucky for you, your new threads aren't the only gift you'll receive upon waking up. Attached to your waist is a high-quality bag filled with some fun goodies for every passenger! For those of you who unzip your bag to check its contents, you will find: -Dry shampoo -Wet wipes -Deodorant -Travel pack of toilet paper -Travel toothbrush + toothpaste -Poncho -A stylish travel guide No other items are on your person at this time, even if you were holding onto it as you began your previous departure. That's a bit troublesome, isn't it? Not really; it's still a bus. Be grateful for the extra elbow room, alright? Oh, and one last thing...on the wrist of every passenger is a small, equally fashionable white scrunchie. Not your style? Perhaps it's a good idea to give the travel guide another read. Searching the bus from top to bottom will net zero results in the way of an escape. All of the windows are similarly tinted and locked, and the only exit door appears to be the one on the first level that can't be opened at this time. But hey. You're all old pros at this, right? You know what to do next! Get to know the people around you, trade stories with your fellow passengers, and...well. Buckle up for the bumpy ride ahead.

Comments

[wowcool]

A. THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND

[A dream within a dream? Perhaps, perhaps.]

[Anaido stirs to the sounds of the bus. There's sure a whole lot of other people, huh? This isn't the quiet, peaceful island he was on. Baby Shark is blaring in the background. The detective stirs, glancing around.]

Haha. [He's...crying? But somehow he's smiling through it, like someone's tried to get him to laugh after he's been through something terrible.] Haha. What a nice...dream, huh?

[And then he sniffs, and proceeds to roll over onto the nearest person on the floor next to him. Whoops? He didn't notice you there!!!]

B: ALCOHOL TIME

[It's definitely crowded on this bus - Anaido, suddenly in a very strange look, what with the scrunchie wrapped around his head, can be found sitting at the bar on the second floor, holding a bottle of wine.]

[Suddenly, he lifts it above his head, hand trembling, like he's considering bringing it down onto himself-]

[And then barks out a laugh and finger-guns with his free hand at whoever is nearby, lowering the bottle to place the countertop. He...seems to be in a good mood?]

Come on, come on, let's share a drink together! To celebrate these very strange circumstances!

[He might be grinning, but god, does he look like he's gone without several nights of sleep already, judging by the circles under his eyes. The man is Tired.]

C: WILDCARD

[Someone please tell Anaido to STOP WEARING THE SCRUNCHIE AROUND HIS HEAD, THANK YOU. Anyways he's everywhere and anywhere!! Throw whatever prompt at me you want!]

b

[shixiong]

[ oh... a familiar face. one that instills some instant guilt, actually; he wonders with a brief and uncomfortable flash of guilt if wen ning is around, as well. hm.

having taken just one step too many into the bar, yin yu pauses, realizes they've made eye contact, and --folds his hands together in a proper bow, fist in hand. ] ...Master Anaido.

[ he would like to run now, but.. his eyes travel up to the top of his head when he straightens, and he ends up staring a bit too long at the headband. why... how did you wear it like that. ]

[wowcool]

[He knows this man. They never really talked before, but he knows him well. After all, why wouldn't he? He's the man responsible for what happened to that man, his partner, promising things that didn't come to pass-]

[For a moment, he frowns, and then, suddenly-]

YIN YU! [He exclaims. He finger-guns again, his smile bright and warm like he's seeing an old friend.] How are you?

[shixiong]

[ this is not letting him run away, anaido!!!!!!!!

yin yu flinches, though whether it's from the fact that he can't escape or from anaido being loud is hard to tell, and slowly releases his bow. ] I'm... that's a bit of a strange question, don't you think...? It seems we've been taken off to a strange place, again...

A.

[chaoticlootral]

[







whalloping him in the face with a birkenstock]

i snorted

[wowcool]

[He winces, but somehow this?? Does not make the stupid idiotic grin disappear from his face. He does roll back away from Taako, though.]

Ahaha, trying to wake me up? Thank you!

[chaoticlootral]

[WHAPPING HIM SOME MORE

but honestly taako's strength score is so weak that it's like being gently batted in the face anyway.]

Get! Off of me!

[He's not even on Taako anymore this is just vengeance]

A!

[overruns]

[ It'd been stupid of him to expect that this 'dream' had been over when the ships had come in and set off, though something about waking up on a metal deathtrap is even more surreal than an island.

It's a little too much to process after what's happened. He's content to just give up and lie there for a moment, but thankfully the familiar, albeit slightly choked voice and someone bumping into him gets him to collect himself faster. ]

Anaido? [ He sounds concerned as he quickly looks over him, but it doesn't look like he's hurt, just unfashionable. ] ...If you are dreaming again, then I am right here with you.

[ What is going on? ]

[wowcool]

...Eh?

[He whips his head around at the sound of the other's voice. The sudden elation he feels - it hurts, somehow, like a needle through his heart.]

Ah! Brother! [He reaches over to touch the other's shoulder, and then, as if touching a fire, he draws it back, like he's afraid Dimitri will just disappear under his grasp.] Dimitri, that's really you...? What's going on?

[overruns]

[ Dimitri looks puzzled a moment at his reaction, but soon reaches out to give Anaido's arm a tight squeeze, as though to reassure him. To prove to both of them that they're solid and real before he shakes his head. ]

I wish I had an answer for you. Shouldn't we both be back home—? I thought...

[ Maybe he'd been tricked, and the ritual never ended at all. But as he glances about, it's not quite the same. Not the same group, exactly. ] Who are these people?

B

[concasse]

No, fuck off, I'm looking for my tiger.

[WHAT A DELIGHTFUL YOUNG MAN SANJI IS]





-- Also you look like shit, go take a damned nap or something.

[wowcool]

Your tiger?

[That's, uh, a thing to look for.]

Alright. I'll take a nap when I can. Thanks. [He seems genuinely happy for the?? observation??] You sure you don't want a drink? You can tell me about this tiger of yours.

[concasse]

[Sir, you're supposed to emote properly when someone insults you. Sanji looks vaguely offended that the question is repeated]

What's there to tell? She's a baby and might be stuck somewhere on this shitty vehicle by herself.

a......

[baori]

[ wow this is uncomfortable.

as if it wasn't bad enough to see a familiar face but to see that familiar face expressing something that he hasn't seen before. it's not like he hasn't been expecting it but... well. ]

I wish this were a dream.

[ he says very carefully. he makes no movements to shove anaido off or for him to comfort him either. ]

[wowcool]

...

[Wait. Is that?]

[He actually rolls back, blinking at Giyuu. Him? Here?]

[But...how? He reaches very carefully over to the other's shoulder to gently touch it.]

Senpai? Is that you?

[baori]

[ giyuu isn't going to move away and continues to remain motionless. he does emote, though, so that anaido knows that he isn't some sort of disembodied voice. though his emote is really him increasingly looking more apologetic as things go on. ]

...yes.

[ a pause as he isn't sure if there's something else he could be doing. aside from comforting(??) his??? ???? acquaintance??? ]

b

[slobjection]

[ anaido..... are you ok..... even phoenix is wondering about you, at this point. yikes. ]

I could go for some grape juice.....

[wowcool]

[It's fine! He's fine. He grins at the statement, before reaching for a glass.]

Then you'll have some, my treat. [And he gets another glass for himself, too.] Is that enough?

[slobjection]

Sure.

[ he's just going to take the whole bottle after anaido's poured a glass for himself. ]

You're very generous.

wild... card?????

[covenantal]

[ ....

....

....

....

....

....

ahem. ]

I apologize if I'm intruding, but isn't that ... uncomfortable?

[ He will gesture at how Anaido is wearing the scrunchie. He's got his own on his wrist, a pretty little bracelet. ]

[wowcool]

Hm? Oh, this?

[He just shrugs.]

A little. Ah, I think it's giving me a headache!

[WHY IS HE HAPPY ABOUT THIS]

a

[muragas]

[ it's fine, what's a little snuggling between concussion buddies? she'll pat him on the head, gently. you know, in case he already got another one. ]

I'm sorry your honeymoon is on hold.

[wowcool]

Honeymoon...?

[He doesn't know why that makes him sadder. Maybe because he never imagined he'd have anything close to a honeymoon.]

[He looks over at his headpatter, a little surprised.]

Minako? You're here, too?

WILDCARD

[getdrekt]

Stop.

[he doesn't tell or ask

he just pushes it back.

it zips off his dumb head, tangling in the back of Anaido's dumb hair.]

Not that there seems to be any braincells for you tot cut off circulation to.

[wowcool]

[Anaido frowns slightly, tensing, but when it catches on his hair in a dumb weird ponytail thing, he just gives a light shrug.]

Aren't bunny ears supposed to be on the head, anyways? Come on, you have to see the vision, here!